Opthalmology

Unit 6: Differential Diagnosis of Blurred Vision

Retinal detachment

Anatomy and Physiology of the Retina

The retina is made up of two main layers:

  • The neurosensory retina
  • The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)

anatomy and physiology of the retina

Layers in the retina

Source: Reproduced from Retinal pathology as biomarker for cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease, Mohammas Kamran Ikram, Carol Y Cheuug, Tien Y Wong, Christopher PLH Chen, J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2012;83:917-922 with permission from BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.

Posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) occurs when the vitreous separates from the retina, as part of the normal ageing process. Normally PVD does not cause a problem, but if there is an abnormal adhesion to the retina it can tear (rhegma) the retina. A rhegmatogenous retinal detachment occurs if vitreous fluid passes through the tear, separating the neurosensory retina from the retinal pigment epithelium.